PhD in Communication

Elmira Hamidi, 2021

Describe your dissertation, thesis, or capstone (if you completed one):

Diabetes BeDur, A Type 2 Diabetes Mobile Application for Iranian Nationals in the U.S.

Diabetes is a growing public health challenge worldwide. Among all developed countries, the U.S. has the highest rate of diabetes prevalence. Minority populations including immigrants are at high risk from this disease. Iran is rated as having the third largest number of adults with diabetes in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is now the most common form of the disease. Diabetes BeDur, a type 2 diabetes health mobile application for Iranian nationals in the U.S. was developed to primarily raise awareness about this global health issue among the U.S. minority populations in general, and the Iranians living in the U.S. specifically.

The current research is designed as a sequential exploratory multi-method communication intervention study. A content analysis of 18 English and Farsi mobile health applications concerning type 2 diabetes was conducted to guide the development of the mobile application. Following that, 17 subjects were recruited to evaluate the Diabetes BeDur mobile application by participating in an online usability testing questionnaire by providing their feedback, experiences, and recommendations about the mobile app. As a result of the usability testing, the application was edited and improved in terms of ease of use, interface, and usefulness. Finally, a pretest-posttest outcome evaluation experiment with 77 subjects assessed the effectiveness of the mobile application. This research employed the health belief model and the theory of reasoned action to evaluate the effectiveness of the application. The results of the study showed that the application was successful in influencing individuals’ knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, and perceived benefits about type 2 diabetes. Although participants’ attitudes, perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, and benefits changed over time and after being exposed to the Diabetes BeDur app, none of these variables were found to affect the subjects’ intention to undertake T2D preventive actions. However, knowledge about T2D was found as a predictor of one’s intention about type 2 diabetes preventive behaviors. Thus, the Diabetes BeDur application can encourage its users to participate in preventive actions for T2D by educating them about the disease. The present study is the first attempt to create a culturally-grounded and evidence-based health mobile application for Iranian nationals living in the U.S. to promote T2D prevention. The present study contributed to the literature by filling a gap concerning developing culturally-tailored programs targeting vulnerable populations. Limitations, future studies, and practical implications are discussed.

How did you choose your specific area of study?

As a female immigrant, health and education of racial minorities and underserved communities have always been a top priority and my motivation for my chosen path. Thus, as a communications researcher and professional, I dedicated my academic work and professional endeavors to vulnerable populations' well-being and education.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

My special appreciation goes to my caring, supportive, and knowledgeable professor and Ph.D. adviser, Dr. Gary Kreps. His collaboration and encouragement enabled me to make my dream come true by contributing to the research and developing/evaluating a culturally-tailored health communication intervention targeting vulnerable populations of the U.S., foreigners/immigrants. In addition, my committee members and professors, Dr. Kevin Wright and Dr. Xiaoquan Zhao provided me with invaluable suggestions and insightful comments in every single step of the journey from my comprehensive exam to my proposal defense and the final dissertation session. I am grateful for having such a collaborative and supportive committee team.

Dr. Sergei Samoilenko was the one who introduced me to the GMU Communication department in 2016 and encouraged me to set up meetings with some faculty members to learn about their research areas. I was lucky to get connected with my talented colleague, Dr. Farah Latif from the first day at the COMM department at GMU. She had my back as a sister and provided me with all the tips and strategies that she had learned. We conducted a couple of research studies together, had many classes and group presentations, and had several meaningful discussions. In the first year of my program, I served as a teaching assistant managing three Small and Group Communication classes at undergraduate levels. My colleague, Dr. Karen Wrightsman from Education department was my support network when I needed teaching resources and had questions to handle a challenging situation in my class. She increased my confidence in teaching.

Furthermore, Debby Kermer, the Data Services Research Consultant helped me a lot with my data analysis. Her smiley face and positive attitude motivated me to work hard to finish that phase of my dissertation research fast. It is also important to highlight that I had some memorable classes with amazing professors of the COMM department. Dr. Tim Gibson led one of the best classes I had during my journey at GMU, Qualitative Method (COMM 725). His class was fun, challenging, and interactive. Moreover, I can't finish this section without mentioning all the support I received from Brittany Sanders, our department graduate coordinator. She answered all my questions patiently and provided me with solutions and resources in a timely manner.

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?

Meet up with faculty members in your department and learn about their research interests and projects before applying for the program and during your graduate studies in the department.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

Since the second year at Mason, I started my full-time employment in the field of higher education. My long-term career goal is to work as a communication professional/scholar advocating the vulnerable populations' education and well-being.